Canada Sport News

Diego Lopes aims to challenge Alexa Grasso at UFC 306 following bout with Ortega
  • news
    •

    Diego Lopes aims to challenge Alexa Grasso at UFC 306 following bout with Ortega

    Diego Lopes is having quite the year and the rising featherweight contender can add to his impressive 2024 with a win over Brian Ortega on Saturday at UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili at the organization’s debut Sphere event.

    If all goes to plan this weekend, Lopes will not only extend his winning streak to five, but fight fans will also see him in Alexa Grasso’s corner in the co-main event mere minutes after he finishes competing against Ortega.

    Watch UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili on Sportsnet+


    Sean O’Malley defends his title vs. Merab Dvalishvili, plus Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko complete their trilogy at the UFC’s unique Sphere event. Watch on Saturday, Sept. 14 with prelim coverage at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, and pay-per-view main card starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

    Purchase UFC 306

    Lopes and Grasso are teammates at Lobo Gym MMA in Grasso’s native Mexico, and Lopes told reporters Wednesday in Las Vegas that he plans to pick up a clean main card win over a former title challenger, go backstage to quickly change, and then join Grasso’s other coaches for the completion of her 125-pound championship trilogy with Valentina Shevchenko.

    If anyone in the 145-pound division is capable of picking up a clean victory requiring little time from which he emerges unscathed, it’s Lopes.

    The 29-year-old Brazilian has three first-round stoppage victories within the past 13 months. 

    He is coming off a unanimous decision win over Dan Ige in a fight that came together on several hours’ notice at UFC 303 in June after Lopes’s original opponent, Ortega, withdrew due to illness the day of the fight.

    Lopes is ranked as the No. 13 contender at featherweight; Ortega is No. 3 and challenged both Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski during their times as 145-pound champion.

    Grasso is set to defend her women’s flyweight title against former champ Shevchenko. It would technically be Grasso’s first title defence, as her last fight resulted in a retention due to a controversial draw at the inaugural Noche UFC one year ago. Grasso originally won the title at UFC 285 in March 2023, when she submitted Shevchenko with a fourth-round face crank.

    Lopes was on Grasso’s coaching staff during The Ultimate Fighter: Team Grasso vs. Team Shevchenko earlier this year.

    More from Sportsnet
    New bantamweight rivalry, Sean O’Malley star power an ideal fit for Sphere


    UFC 306 FAQ: What to know and expect ahead of anticipated Sphere event

    Diego Lopes is set to face off against Alexa Grasso at UFC 306 in what promises to be an exciting matchup between two talented fighters. Lopes, coming off a tough bout with Brian Ortega, is looking to make a statement and prove himself against Grasso, who is known for her striking skills and impressive record in the octagon.

    Lopes, a Brazilian fighter with a background in jiu-jitsu, has been making waves in the UFC with his impressive performances and tenacity in the cage. His recent fight with Ortega was a tough battle, but Lopes showed his resilience and determination, ultimately coming out on top with a hard-fought victory.

    Now, Lopes is looking to take on Grasso, a Mexican fighter known for her striking prowess and aggressive fighting style. Grasso has been on a winning streak in the UFC and is considered one of the top contenders in the women’s strawweight division. This matchup between Lopes and Grasso is sure to be a thrilling fight that fans won’t want to miss.

    Both fighters have a lot on the line in this matchup, with Lopes looking to continue his rise in the UFC rankings and Grasso aiming to solidify her status as a top contender in the division. With their contrasting styles and skill sets, this fight has all the makings of a classic showdown that could go down as one of the most memorable fights in UFC history.

    As the date for UFC 306 approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating this matchup between Lopes and Grasso. With both fighters hungry for victory and looking to make a statement in the octagon, this fight is sure to deliver fireworks and excitement for MMA fans around the world. Stay tuned for what promises to be an epic battle between two of the UFC’s rising stars.